Oponti slowly approached Achi, sweat pooling into his furrowed brows as if he had run a great distance to get here. A frown was plastered unto his visage spoiling his features, his head hung low and his shoulders sagged, holding an invisible weight that Achi feared he would soon have to bear. He tried to catch the gaze of the other boy but he kept his eyes plastered to the floor sparing only a quick furtive glance at the prince. Both Elan and Hakan watched Oponti intently, Elan mimicking his frown, his eyes glistening as if looking at his son in pain hurt him also. Hakan glowered, his mouth curled into a soundless snarl, hate radiating from him but his brother was clearly unaffected, his focus only on the floor.
"Achi I- Achi I need to tell you something." he blurted still not looking at him, focusing rather on his own trembling hands. " I don't- I don't really know how to say this but- but your parents are dead.
"Geez" Elan muttered "not like that"
Achi jerked backwards the moment those words left Oponti's lips. Bile climbed up his throat along with his heart. The world swayed underneath him, surely if he had been standing he would have fallen by now. Instead he crumpled, folding over as sobs racked his body. It felt like every syllable of that phrase had dug itself under his skin and was slowly burrowing a path to his soul.
His mother, oh his beautiful mother, her morning kisses, warm hugs, laughter, their laughter. The way she taught him how to draw and sing, how to dance, how to understand his feelings and the feelings of others. Her cooking when he felt down. His mother, oh his mother, with hair like a black cloud and skin the colour of the earth. His mother, that smelled of liquid sunlight and coconuts, his mother, with her seemingly permanent smile. Her soft sweet smile she wore as she tucked him into bed, her manic goofy grin when she pulled a prank on him, the proud beam that shone when he produced a new art piece. Tenderness and undeniable love all wiped away.
And his father, oh his father, his casual head rubs, fierce hugs that Achi feared would break him in two, quiet smiles as he taught him how to play the kora. The burning love in his eyes, like nothing Achi could do would ever extinguish it, security. Their horseback rides exploring behind the castle. His father, built like a tree with creased twinkling eyes. His roaring laughter as they raced under the moon against his mother's wishes. Tenderness and undeniable love all wiped away.
He looked around, the other men's faces a watery blur of concern. Elan engulfed him in a hug, the feeling reminding him of his father, causing the tears to flow anew. He took a slow rattling breath.
"How did they die?"
"The signelman says it was a fire, he said" shifting his weight uncomfortably "he said the King was away on business but came back and dove into the palace to save your mother and sister." He took a seat on the other side of Achi and rubbed his shoulder awkwardly. "Achi, I'm so, so sorry, but I need to tell you something else."
"No,"
"It's important"
"No it doesn't make sense" Achi muttered, "my sister was on a trip like me, our father sent us away she- she was on her way to Oevlugt"
"The signelman said you died too"
"Me?" he frowned, puzzled. Elan and Hakan mirrored his expression. Their eyes darting between Achi and Oponti. Achi stared at the floor, his head pounding even more than it was already. It didn't make sense, why would someone claim his and his sister's death. The answer was simple really and he knew it, he just didn't want to accept this fact.
"The fire wasn't an accident" Hakan announced, Achi felt new heat rising behind his eyes at this confirmation. "I don't think your plane crash was an accident either, someone probably found out and sabotaged it." Achi involuntarily flashed back to the dead pilot and his comrade, a dose of guilt dashed into his concoction of misery. Achi pondered this information, he had survived against all odds, if he had done this his sister, stronger than him in every way definitely did.
"My sister is alive" he whispered.
"Achi i don-" Hakan began
"She is, I would know" he replied firmly despite the tremble in his voice. Hakan opened his mouth to protest but thought better of it. It was easy to see this was the only tether keeping the young prince from going over the edge. His fiery eyes dimmed to embers, a mask of concern over his face.
"Oponti," Elan began "does anybody know he is here?"
"No, he never let me get a word in edgewise, he was almost tripping over his words"
"What did you tell him when he asked why you called?"
"I said the djoka were eating our crops again." he turned to look at his father, " he said they will send a team to check it out Nyadey."
"Nyadey yeah, all right" Elan mused "that gives us four days to get you out of here"
"Four days?" Achi exclaimed "I cant even walk, how-"
"We only have to get you somewhere safe so you can heal, then we can decide where to go next"
"Back to the capital, I want to go back to the capital that's where my sister would go"
Elan scratched his head uncertainly " I'm not so sure Achi, people are trying to kill you."
"If the wrong person found out you were alive then they might get you before you even leave Ehlathini" Hakan added.
"When they find out you mean" Oponti corrected, "Everyone already knows I rescued a boy from the plane, thanks to you" He said looking at his father.
Elan smiled sheepishly "I'm proud of my boys"
Achi caught a slight grimace from Hakan at this exchange, he wondered what was going on between the brothers. "At any rate" he began "the signelmen will find out as soon as they come here."
"And anyone powerful enough to attack you definitely will have eyes and ears everywhere. Evan as far out as here." Elan added. "I can call a village meeting and tell the people not to mention this but I fear that will bring unwanted questions."
It made sense Achi thought, people would probably want to know who he was, which would lead to questions about why they can't say he is alive, a slippery slope. Achi knew enough about people to know he would be sold out quickly enough, either through gossip or malicious intent. It was best to keep as much information to themselves as possible, giving them enough time for Achi to recuperate.
"Do you know who would be next in line if the royal family died?" asked Hakan suddenly, as if the thought just crossed his mind.
Achi shrugged, " My sister was next in line to the throne, I didn't bother myself with that stuff"
Hakan sagged, looking dejectedly at Oponti he asked "The signelman wouldn't have happened to tell you would he"
Oponti shook his head "I started to end the conversation as soon as he said Achi was dead"
"Okay, we will just have to wait for the news of the new King then. Whoever it is probably killed your parents, in the meantime we gotta get you hidden."
"Where will I go?" Achi asked
"Ask Bodaway, he will probably have a hiding spot," Elan stated "nobody knows Ehlathini better than him"
"He's back?" asked Opunti, a slight smile played on his lips, lighting up his morose features.
"Yeah he just got in this morning" smiled Elan, his bright eyes dancing despite the situation. Evan Hakan seemed to cheer up at the mention of the name. Achi wondered how one person can change the mood of a room without even being there.
"Who is Bodaway?"
Elan beamed, "My son, the youngest ever Tallotsman in history." his tone shifted into a serious one "If there is anyone who can save you, it's him."
